That thought, so resoundingly clear in her mind as she kissed me, startled me. I was known as a leader who had significant heart, it was true. They chided me for it, sometimes. And I was proud to use compassion and passion. But the fact that that was what attracted her to me the most, was surprising. Not my strength, or discipline, or nobility? But, my compassion?
Well, I certainly loved her intelligence, her brain… Even though her body and face were also incredibly, bone-rattling gorgeous…
I tangled my hands in her hair and whispered back some of the thoughts to her, too, letting us meld and share telepathically. I was stunned by this connection… How was this possible? I let her feel my own gratitude and my own desire for her, beyond just her body, but also for her brain… Letting her know I wasn't just using her as an alliance bride, I wanted to honor her as the brilliant woman she was.
“I am falling for you, too…”
Ceritha pulled back from, blushing furiously, pulling at her dress, and she punched me lightly on the shoulder. "Some sparring match this turned out to be."
“Oh, I won,” I said.
“Ha! You think so?”
“Definitely.” I pulled my pants up as if that declared the championship. She adjusted her panties.
“How do you figure? I was the one that was on top.” Her lips came together in a cute little I told you so pout and I couldn’t argue with it, so I grabbed her and kissed her so hard I thought the lights in the lab would burst.
A knock interrupted us and we jumped apart as if there were an explosion nearby. I wondered why we both reacted that way. It was perfectly acceptable for us to be making out. We were pledged to be together…
“Enter,” I said, when I received the nod from Ceritha, standing and busying herself at the chemistry table, trying to soothe out her sex hair.
“Prince Axis, Commander Cartari is looking for you. He is in the command room. There are reports of pirate sails off the shore.” The sailor stood at attention, in full salute. There was a trace of fear in his eyes. I looked at Ceritha and she looked back at me with sad eyes.
“Thank you, sailor, I will head there at once. Please, will you find Bravos Ilisa and Laro and tell them to meet me in the command room with the Commander. Dismissed.” The sailor saluted and disappeared.
“I need to assign you a guard right away. Please stay in the lab until they arrive and then trust them and obey their orders. It sounds like the attack is coming sooner than we expected.” Tell her… I told myself. Tell her that Gorgin is looking for her specifically… I don’t want to scare her… Don’t be an idiot… She is strong.
She flashed her eyes my way and threw her hands down at her sides. “I understand. Go do your Princely stuff. I will obey your guards.”
I looked at her doubtfully. There was a significant shift in her mood. She was placing items around on the table, moving them from one place back to their original spot with swift, angry movements. She seemed to be fighting an inward battle. What had I done wrong? Hadn’t we just had a wonderful time?
“I’m sorry, Ceritha…”
“It’s fine, Commander. I’ll be fine. Go.”
Why was she calling me Commander, again? Hadn’t we broken through to being Axis and Ceritha with each other? “I think I should wait here with you until the guard arrives.”
“I would like to go get some air. Would that be all right?” Her lips were set in an angry line.
"Yes, that's fine. We can go out to the gazebo for a moment. Just five minutes, though, okay? Then you must come back and stay in the lab."
She flurried her hand in my face as she stalked to the door. “Fine.”
As we exited the lab, I tried to touch her arm but she shrugged out of my reach and then I had to lengthen my stride to keep up with her speedy footsteps.
“Ceritha, what is wrong? What changed—?” I tried to grab her arm but she shrugged away again and kept walking down the hall toward the door that led toward the dock that held the gazebo.
“Prince Axis!” Another sailor came running down the hall. I stopped.
“Princess, please, hold up a moment.” She paused and waited, shifting from side to side and clenching her fists. I turned to the sailor.
“Prince, there is word that Gorgin himself is here. His ship is one of those just outside our harbor. Commander Cartari is anxiously awaiting your decision. Our closest cannons are aimed toward them and we need to know to attack—” The door to the outside slammed and I looked over quickly. Ceritha was gone. I groaned. Hopefully she wouldn’t be far ahead of me.
“Tell them I will be there right away. Also, please tell Bravo Ilisa to meet me at the gazebo immediately.”
“Wait, Prince, there’s more to my message.”
I turned back to the sailor, already two steps toward the door. Damnit… Hopefully she wouldn’t go anywhere other than the gazebo, but I had a bad feeling about this… That girl… She was trouble in more ways than one…
Twelve
Ceritha
I tore out of the hall and turned sharply around the corner, leading away from the dock that held the gazebo and toward the little short dock where my StarChaser was tied. I didn’t
